Whooping cough (Bordatella pertussis)

Quick Links:
  1. California Department of Public Health Quick Sheet: Quick guide to diagnosis, testing, reporting and treatment.
  2. CDC Pertussis Home Page: Comprehensive guide to Pertussis information
  3. Contra Costa Health Services Pertussis Home Page:



Acute Infection


Suspect: Anyone with 14 days of cough, with or without "whooping" or post-tussive vomiting.
Test: Dacron Swab transported in appropriate media to the public health lab for PCR. Must be obtained from posterior nasopharynx. See demonstration.
Treat:
  • If <3 mo, test and treat, admit to hospital with consultation. See June 2011 Managment Guidelines for infection in young infants
  • If <1 year, treat within 6 weeks of cough onset before PCR results are obtained. Provide chemoprophylaxis to househould contacts.
  • If >1 year, and in close contact with infant <1 year, treat within 3 weeks of cough onset before PCR results obtained. Provide chemoprophylaxis to household contacts.
  • If >1 year, and not in close contact with infant <1 year, wait for PCR results. If positive, treat and provide chemoprophylaxis to househould contacts.
Report: Complete CMR (confidential Morbidity Report) and submit to public health for any probable or confirmed cases
Vaccinate: Update Tdap immunization for all cases and contacts.



Vaccination


DTaP: Routine Childhood Immunization. See CAIR database for schedule. VIS Statements

Tdap for anyone age 7 or above. VIS Statements
  • If they did not receive 5th dose booster of DTaP (between 4-6 years of age)
  • Routine booster age 11-18 (required to start 7th grade)
  • Routine booster age 19-65
  • Pregnancy
  • Postpartum
  • Over age 65 in contact with infants <1 year



Other Links

CDPH Pertussis Home Page.
June 2011 Managment Guidelines for infection in young infants: Expert Opinion endorsed by CDPH and AAP.
Case Presentation and Powerpoint on 2010 outbreak in California from Children's Hospital Oakland
Manual of Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases: Pertussis
Guidelines for the Control of Pertussis Outbreaks